Multiple Sclerosis
Conditions
Keywords
multiple sclerosis, vestibular dysfunction, optokinetic stimulation, virtual reality
Brief summary
The aim of this study is to investigate the acute effects of virtual reality-based optokinetic stimulation on postural sway and motion sickness symptoms in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS)
Detailed description
This study will be conducted at Hacettepe University, Faculty of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation. It will investigate the acute effects of virtual reality-based optokinetic stimulation (OKS) on postural sway and motion sickness symptoms in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS). Participants will include MS patients with and without central vestibular dysfunction, as well as age- and sex-matched healthy controls. MS participants will first undergo vestibular function assessment using videonystagmography (VNG). Postural control will then be measured via a force platform under four conditions (bipodal/monopodal, eyes open/closed) before and after a 10-minute OKS session using Oculus Quest 2. Healthy participants will follow the same postural and OKS assessment protocol without VNG.Motion sickness and virtual reality effects will be evaluated using the Simulator Sickness Questionnaire. Data will be analyzed using appropriate parametric or non-parametric tests to compare postural sway and VR-related symptoms across groups, with significance set at p \< 0.05.
Interventions
DEVICEVirtual Reality-Based Optokinetic Stimulation (OKS)
A 10-minute session of virtual reality-based optokinetic stimulation (OKS) using the Oculus Quest 2 system. The stimulation speed is set at 40°/s and the direction is determined according to Fukuda test results. Postural sway and motion sickness will be assessed before and after the intervention.
Sponsors
Hacettepe University
Avrasya University
Study design
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Intervention model description
All participants will receive the same virtual reality-based optokinetic stimulation protocol. Comparisons will be made between MS patients with and without central vestibular dysfunction and healthy controls
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 55 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Be an adult aged 18-55 years * Have a confirmed diagnosis of MS by a neurologist (for MS groups) * Not have had a relapse in the last 3 months (for MS patients) * Have an Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score of ≤ 4 (for MS patients) * Be a healthy control with no condition preventing participation
Exclusion criteria
* Have peripheral vestibular dysfunction (for MS groups) * Be older than 55 years * Have any cardiovascular, orthopedic, neurological, or other condition preventing assessments * Have a history of neurological disorders, head trauma, or chronic psychiatric conditions (for healthy controls)
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Postural Sway | Immediately before and immediately after the 10-minute virtual reality-based optokinetic stimulation session | Postural sway will be assessed using the FreeMED force platform under four conditions (bipodal/monopodal, eyes open/closed) before and after a 10-minute virtual reality-based optokinetic stimulation (OKS) session. Parameters include sway path, mediolateral (delta X), and anteroposterior (delta Y) displacement. |
Outcome results
None listed